Skiing at Crystal Mountain

Crystal Mountain is a world class ski resort, rated by SKIING magazine as the #7 ski resort in North America. Experienced skiers are drawn to the expert runs comprising nearly half of the terrain and the 1,000 acres of skiable backcountry areas.

MT. RAINIER, Wash. May 21, 2009 A little learning can turn a walk in the park into a lifelong memory at Mt. Rainier, where family fun is reaching new heights thanks to educational opportunities for all ages.< /p>

On and around Mt. Rainier this summer, loved ones can take advantage of a variety of informative and invaluable programs. Following are a few suggestions:< /p>

Mount Rainier National Park’s Junior Ranger Program< /strong> This cherished tradition encourages youngsters ages 6-11 to identify plants, seek out animal tracks, and engage in other absorbing pastimes while earning a badge. The free activity booklet is available at Visitor Centers from July 1Sept 1. Daily ranger presentations of songs, stories, games, and walks add meaning to the surroundings for parents and children alike. Look for them at the Longmire, Ohanapecosh, Sunrise /White River and Paradise campgrounds.< /p>

Slug Fest, Northwest Trek, June 27-28< /strong> Scavenger hunts, human slug races, and slimy hikes are some of the wacky pursuits awaiting the young and young-at-heart during this distinctive event honoring the Pacific Northwest’s most valuable and misunderstood mollusk — the native banana slug. Starting at 10AM and running throughout each day, activities are included in the regular Northwest Trek admission price ($15.50 for adults, $14 for seniors, $10.50 ages 5-12, and $7.50 ages 3-4; free under 3). For information, please visit www.nwtrek.org or call 360-832-6117.< /p>

Ex Nihilo Sculpture Park< /strong> — In Latin, Ex Niholo means something created out of nothing, and that’s exactly what artist Dan Klennert does at this fascinating four-acre outdoor park. Using materials from recycling bins, abandoned farms, and junkyards, Klennert enchants all ages with familiar objects reconfigured into something totally new, from horses made of old horseshoes to dinosaur jaws crafted out of backhoe teeth. Located near Elbe, on the way to Ashford near the Paradise entrance to Mt. Rainier, Ex Nihilo is open year-round. Admission is free, with donations accepted. Additional details are available at www.danielklennert.com.< /p>

Pioneer Farm Museum and Ohop Indian Village< /strong> — Butter-churning, cow-milking, fishing, and other hands-on activities provide families with a firsthand feel for 1880s pioneer and Native American lifestyles. A trading post displays items from bygone eras, and informed guides add insights during tours. Pioneer Tour admission is $7.50 for adults and $6.50 for children ages 3-18; Native American Seasons Tour admission is $7 for adults and $6 for children. The attraction is open daily during the summer and weekends in the spring and fall. Public tours begin at 11:15AM and the last tour of the day starts at 4PM. Native American tours are offered on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 2:30PM. Look for it just north of Eatonville. Please visit www.pioneerfarmmuseum.org or call 360-832-6300.< /p>

Nature Trail Explorations< /strong> — Self-guided hikes with interpretive signs and brochures enhance a family’s visit to the park by leaps and bounds. Consider the Trail of the Shadows, a short stroll out of Longmire that passes a mineral hot springs, an early homestead, and a variety of plants and animals. On the 1.5-mile Grove of the Patriarchs Trail near the park’s Stevens Canyon entrance, 1,000-year-old Douglas firs lend perspective to the past and the present. The 1.2-mile Nisqually Vista Trail — a Paradise-based loop — helps hikers understand the weather’s effect on the flora and fauna of high-country meadows. < /p>

With snow-capped Mount Rainier as its focal point, the Rainier region offers a range of mountain vacation experiences from the simple enjoyment of alpine forests, fresh air, and breathtaking scenery to extreme adventure sports. The area is rich in places to discover and encompasses communities from Chinook Pass to Crystal Mountain, Ashford and Elbe, near the Nisqually entrance, to Morton and Packwood. For more information on upcoming events and vacationing in the Mount Rainier region, please access www.VisitRainier.com.< /p>